Suicide Silence, ‘You Can’t Stop Me’ – Album Review

Suicide Silence have been one of the more successful deathcore bands, growing their fan base and profile with each album. 2011‘s ‘The Black Crown’ was their most successful so far, debuting at No. 28 on the Billboard 200 and landing the band on several high-profile tours.

The metal world was stunned to learn of frontman Mitch Lucker’s death following a motorcycle accident in November of 2012. He was just 28 years old.

After this devastating tragedy, the band decided to carry on, and brought aboard their friend Eddie Hermida from All Shall Perish as the band's new vocalist. Hermida makes his recording debut for Suicide Silence on their latest album ‘You Can’t Stop Me.’ The title track includes lyrics written by Lucker.

This is a cathartic album, with Suicide Silence unloading a variety of emotions while delivering a passionate performance. That’s especially the case with Hermida. He was an excellent vocalist with All Shall Perish, but has really stepped up his game on ‘You Can’t Stop Me.’

There are some potent songs, especially on the first half of the album. Suicide Silence are a force to be reckoned with when clicking on all cylinders, like on the blazing track ‘Cease to Exist.’ It features galloping riffs and a varied performance from Hermida that ranges from low pitched gurgles to throat-ripping screams.

Another standout is ‘Control,’ which features a guest appearance from George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher of Cannibal Corpse. It’s a bludgeoning song loaded with brutality, made even more brutal by Corpsegrinder. The Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato lends his talents to the track “Monster Within.’

And while there are some really strong songs, a few others stick comfortably within the confines of the deathcore genre. Hermida’s vocals raise them above filler level, but they don’t reach the high bar set by some of the others.

Perhaps the most intriguing song on the album is ‘Ending Is the Beginning.’ It was originally recorded for the band’s 2005 self-titled EP. It’s interesting to hear the 2014 version of the band playing the early material, showing how much their chops have improved.

Suicide Silence’s songwriting has also improved. They add a little more variety to the proceedings than on past albums, such as the intro to ‘Sacred Words’ and the album closer ‘Ouroboros.’ ‘You Can’t Stop Me’ is an album that is a fitting tribute to Lucker, and serves notice that the band is taking the album title literally as they keep moving forward.